Gretsch Custom Shop Introduces
George Harrison "Tribute" Duo Jet Guitar SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2011) - Gretsch is extremely proud to introduce a very special limited edition instrument, the Gretsch Custom Shop G6128T-GH George Harrison "Tribute" Duo Jet. View the "Making Of" video on GretschGuitars.comLimited to 60 pieces worldwide, the guitar is a meticulously crafted replica of the all-black 6128 Duo Jet Harrison played with the Beatles from summer 1961 through spring 1963-a historic period that covered the group's meteoric rise from regional popularity at home in Liverpool to its gritty rock 'n' roll "apprenticeship" in the seedy nightclubs of Hamburg, Germany, to the madness of "Beatlemania". Harrison prized his Duo Jet, often referring to it as his first truly good guitar, and as such it occupies a very special place in the history of Harrison, the Beatles and the greater history of rock music in general. It is heard on many early Beatles recordings, and, decades later, on his acclaimed 1987 album Cloud Nine, Harrison posed with it for the cover. The new Gretsch replica, built by master luthier Stephen Stern and his crew at the Gretsch Custom Shop, mirrors every scratch, ding and rust spot of Harrison's guitar. True to form, the tremolo arm of its Bigsby B6C tailpiece has a blackPhillips head pivot bolt, and the strap button on the lower bout is offset to accommodate the Bigsby. Harrison bought the guitar in summer 1961, from Liverpool cab driver and former merchant seaman Ivan Hayward. Hayward, who bought the guitar new in 1957 inNew York, had the Bigsby installed soon after buying the guitar. Offered for sale at £90, Harrison had paid Hayward £70, writing an IOU for the remaining £20 on the back of the instrument's customs slip (since settled). "It was my first real American guitar," Harrison told Guitar Player magazine in 1987. "And I'll tell you, it was secondhand, but I polished that thing. I was so proud to own that." |
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